Oakland Roots receive reality check against Liga MX’s FC Juarez

Roots forward Jesus Maldanado takes a shot while defeded by an FC Juarez player. The Roots lost 4-2. (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos)

After last week’s fairytale first-half, the Oakland Roots experienced a first-half reality check against Liga MX side FC Juarez on Sunday evening at Laney Field in Oakland.

Last week the Roots went up 3-0. On Sunday the Roots were down 3-0 within the first 12 minutes.

FC Juarez, a first division Mexico club, trotted out its regular first-choice side and they came out ready to play from the opening whistle. It took little time for the visitors to pounce on any mistake the Roots made.

Striker Diego Rolan scored two goals and Dario Lezcano made the scoreline 3-0 within 12 minutes.

“We knew the opponent was going to be a very difficult opponent,” said Roots head coach Paul Bravo after the game. “But never in my wildest dreams did I expect us to be down 2-0 five minutes into the match.”

However, cheered on by their second consecutive sell out crowd chanting “Let’s Go Oakland!” the Roots regrouped and found their way back into the match in the 26th minute thanks to a goal from captain Benji Joya.

Oakland Roots SC midfielder Benji Joya pushes the ball up the field against FC Juarez at Laney College. (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos)

The scoring play started when Oakland forward Jesus Maldanado intercepted a pass on the Juarez’s side of the field. He immediately pressed forward and slotted the ball out towards Dylan Autran. The winger delivered a nice pass to an unmarked Joya at the top of the penalty box who confidently found the back of the net.

“I saw Dylan going down the line and I figured the only option he had was to chip it right at the PK area and I had to make sure I was there,” Joya explained. “When I saw the ball in the area I knew I was going to score it.”

The rest of the first half ended up evenly contested until Uruguayan national Diego Rolan completed his hattrick for Juarez just before the halftime whistle.

To start the second half the Mexican club employed wholesale changes to its side on the pitch. The Roots also started to sub in several players who saw their first action for the team as well.

“The guys who did come in gave us a spark,” said Bravo.

In the 50th minute, Roots substitute Yoshi Chaffin played a quick give and go with Autran and was able to find some space unmarked down the right sideline. He then crossed in front of the goal to Ryan Masch who scored Oakland’s second goal.

Oakland native Julio Cervantes came into the match in the 60th minute and almost drove his large legion of friends and family supporting him wild with an excellent header on target in the 69th minute. However, it was well saved by the Juarez keeper.

“I’m happy for Julio. I’m happy for his family. More importantly, I’m happy for Oakland. They get to see one of their own,” said Coach Bravo after the game. Noting his time playing for the MLS’ San Jose Clash he continued: “Being able to play in front of your friends and family is something you dream about.”

With a final respectable scoreline of 4-2, the Roots walked off the field knowing that despite playing a superior Juarez team there was a multitude of positive lessons to take from the result.